Labour organisations and social workers will observe today the first anniversary of fire at Tazreen Fashions at Nichintapur in Ashulia, the outskirt of the capital
Dhaka, with the victims still crying for justice.
Different organisations have chalked out daylong programmes in front of the fire- ravaged factory at Nichintapur while others will hold demonstration in the capital
pressing for their demands including trial of the Tazreen owner and others responsible for the incident and workers’ safety at workplaces.
On November 24, 2012, a fire broke out in the ground floor of the multi-storey building and quickly engulfed other floors with the management initially barring
evacuation, leaving many workers trapped inside.
Al least 112 workers were either burnt to death or died while trying to escape the blaze.
On Friday, the victims’ families also brought out a peaceful procession demanding justice.
Many affected people said they were yet to receive compensation while many demanded exemplary punishment of the factory owner Delwar Hossain and others in the
management for their negligence.
The government inquiries held responsible the factory management for poor safety at the workplace and police started investigation. The police are, however, yet to
complete its investigation.
Before the fire, the factory used to produce clothing for the world’s leading apparel retailers, including Wal-Mart.
Protesters under banner of All Student-Teacher-Labour-Farmer-Professional-People will hold a protest rally in front of the National Museum at about 3:30pm marking the
day.
The body is pressing for eight-point demands including the arrest of the owners and confiscation of their properties.
The body also demanded the proper list of decease, injured and missing workers in the incident.
Labour organisations will stage demonstration in front of the factory, which meanwhile was repaired.
Labour leaders and workers alleged that local goons started threatening many organisers and affected people not to hold any rally there. The police, however, said they
did not receive any such complaint.
Garments Sramik Oikkya Forum offered floral wreath on graveyard at the Jurain in the capital, where 12 people killed in the fire were buried unidentified.
Industry All Bangladesh Council, a labour rights body, on Saturday formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club pressing for the arrest of the factory
owners.
At human chain formed, the organisation secretary general Roy Ramesh Chandra demanded appropriate compensations for the affected workers and families and called for
ensuring the safety of the workers at their work places.
-With New Age input
